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Well, a payload can be considered to be somewhat similar to a virus. A payload is a set of malicious codes that carry crucial information that can be used to hack any device beyond limits that you can’t imagine.

For example, if we are trying to hack any Android device, then with the help of a payload, we can hack software as well as hardware (e.g., If we hack any Android device, then we can access the camera as well as the microphone of that device!!).

Payload works on the principle of reverse engineering, in the sense that we normally hack any device by finding its vulnerability, and then we attack the device. But in this case, the payload itself becomes the vulnerability of the victim’s device!!

Generally, a payload refers to a set of codes which a hacker designs according to his/her requirements. Then with the help of social engineering (including deceptive links, fake sites, etc.), the payload is sent to the victim’s device or is embedded within an application (probably a legitimate application) that the victim downloads. The victim does not have any idea about the payload sent by the hacker, as the payload dosen’t show signs of its presence directly to the victim. Now the victim grants the application permission that is required for it to be installed. Once the application with the embedded payload is installed by the victim, the device gets hacked!!! Now, the hacker has the permission to access the victim’s device, and the embedded payload sends information to the hacker, as it is connected to hacker’s PC as well. For example, you can click on photos using the camera, access the microphone, and many more things.

Testing a Payload

The payload is made using the Kali Linux operating system; you can develop your own payload and save it as an .apk file and send it to a test target or victim.

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